Lancs’ Newby missing as Alderley host Neston

May 31 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

ALDERLEY Edge and Neston, two teams who topped the 300 runs mark last weekend, clash in the match of the day in the ECB Premier Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.

Second-placed Alderley will be without Lancashire fast bowler Oliver Newby, but expect to field Simon Marshall for his first appearance against former team-mates. Neston, who won at Irby in the league’s Fred Graham Twenty20 Trophy in midweek, will be aiming to improve their current modest sixth ranking. Leaders Bowdon take on Hyde at South Downs road, both clubs being involved in Cockspur Cup third round ties the following day. Former Northern batsman Carl Hey has struck form for Bowdon, but they will have their work cut out against the league’s best fielding team captained by Cheshire left-hander James Duffy.

Erratic Chester Boughton Hall host Widnes who have been turning in some useful performances with hard-hitting opener James McCoy making many sit up with several sensational innings. Champions Oulton Park, currently 23 points behind the leaders, will be aiming to return to winning ways at Toft. Nantwich have sought and been given permission by the Queensland Cricket Association to hold on to their prolific batsman Glen Botticciotto for another month before he returns to Australia to take up a first-class contract. The 6 ft 5 in left-hander will be aiming to add to his tally of 513 runs (average 128) against Macclesfield. The bottom two teams, Heaton Mersey and Urmston clash in an important fixture at The Heatons which both will be keen to win to rise out of the relegation zone.

First Division leaders Oxton, who lost in mid-week at Christleton in the Twenty20 Trophy, take an unbeaten league record to Upton. Still without a win but now with sub-continental all-rounders Ganapathi Vignesh and Zia ur Rehman in tamdem, Birkenhead Park host Poynton, while high-flying Warrington go to Cheadle Hulme and Christleton are away to Timperley.

Second-placed Irby, strong candidates for promotion from Division Two, go to third-placed Middlewich. Leaders Tattenhall get a chance to stretch their 16 points advantage at home to a Stockport Georgians side.

Winnington Park are struggling without a win yet Park could end their barren run at Hale Barns.

TODAY

ECB Premier League (1pm.): Alderley Edge v Neston; Bowdon v Hyde; Chester Boughton Hall v Widnes; Heaton Mersey v Urmston; Nantwich v Macclesfield; Toft v Oulton Park. Division 1 (1.30pm): Birkenhead Park v Poynton; Bramhall v Cheadle; Cheadle Hulme v Warrington; Didsbury v Bollington; Timperley v Christleton; Upton v Oxton. Division 2 (1.30pm): Hale Barns v Winnington Park; Marple v Grappenhall (12.30 p.m.); Middlewich v Irby; Mobberley v Bredbury; Sale v Burnage; Tattenhall v Stockport Georgians.

TOMORROW Minor Counties Cup (11am at Marple): Cheshire v Cumbria. Cockspur Cup 3rd round: Farnworth v Urmston; Kearsley v Bowdon; Leyland v Hyde.